20 FREE & Stunning Jelly Roll Projects for 2.5-inch Strips
With 2.5 inch precut jelly roll fabric pieces, you can cut out hours of time at the cutting board and get right to work on sewing a gorgeous quilt top or accessory in no time. If you do not have a coordinated bundle on hand, you can easily create your own DIY jelly roll strips from your fabric stash to give your projects a completely custom look. This list of free jelly roll sewing patterns is the perfect way to use up those leftovers or finally open that beautiful roll you have been saving.
Often, jelly roll fabric strips are about more than just color shades and patterns, but texture as well. This list is meant to show off all three while teaching you how to use jelly roll fabric for more than just a standard jelly roll race. I have included a table runner pattern, a sturdy rug, a few totes, even a floor pillow, and of course several free quilt patterns for all skill levels. These sewing projects with fabric strips are great ways to clear out your stash or give you an excuse to make a fabric shopping trip. Pick your favorites, grab your coffee and get to sewing!
For Beginners: What is a Jelly Roll Fabric Bundle?
A jelly roll is a fabric bundle of 2.5″ wide strips cut WoF (width of fabric) from cotton quilting fabric. Is it worth it to buy them? Here’s the math: One yard of fabric will yield 14 WOF (width of fabric) strips, so one jelly roll contains three yards of fabric that’s already cut for you.
Most fabric companies, including Moda Fabrics, Riley Blake, Free Spirit, Robert Kaufman, and QT Fabrics, offer their fabric collections in jelly roll strip sets. It’s a great way to get a variety of colors and prints that you know will coordinate beautifully. I also enjoy seeing all of the designs in a collection all in one place.
Why I Love Jelly Roll Projects
One of the things that I love about sewing projects with fabric strips is that it’s so easy to use up my stash! I don’t have to spend an extra dime to cut leftover fabric into 2.5″ strips. It’s like I’m making a project for free!
I also love using jelly rolls as a shortcut for fast and easy patchwork blocks. A good sewing hack that saves me time is this girl’s best friend! 💛
Jelly Glazed Hearts Runner
Learn how to use Jelly Roll fabric using this Jelly Glazed Hearts table runner pattern! You can use your favorite scraps in any combination. As a bonus, you can easily sew more blocks together to turn it into a quilt. Valentine’s Day doesn’t have a claim on hearts!
Pro-Tip: No Pre-washing
Don’t prewash your jelly roll fabric strips. It will end up as a tangled mess with clumps of frayed fabric that will need to be trimmed.
Denim and Chambray Table Runner
This table runner is made with beautiful textured neutrals, but you can use the same pattern with a jelly roll. Check out the tutorial and make what you love. Amy shows a great way to make sure that your runner will finish at the size you want it.
Rails and Ribbons Quilt Pattern
This Rails and Ribbons quilt pattern comes from The Sewing Loft. If you are looking for a worthy cause, this throw size quilt pattern meets all the requirements of the Quilts of Valor program for veterans.
Confetti Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern
The Confetti Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern is all about strip piecing to combine color and movement, creating a playful “sprinkle” effect across your quilt top that looks much more intricate than it actually is.
Modern Plus Quilt
Sew the easiest plus quilt pattern and use up scraps at the same time. You will love how fast and easily this free queen sized quilt pattern comes together, especially with all the tips I will share for cutting and sewing the patchwork blocks.
Pro-Tip: Using Low Volume Fabric Strips
There are also tips for using low-volume fabrics, and adding precise borders to your quilt. Sew this beginner-friendly pattern today! Finished quilt size: 84” x 84” (queen size).
Jelly Roll Apron
The Mile-a-Minute Jelly Roll Apron has pockets! I need full coverage and a good pocket when I’m working hard. This pattern is a treat for self love.
Windsor Tote
Weave your jelly roll strips together and then quilt them onto fusible fleece for the fastest bag hack ever! Download the free pattern and get started. It’s one of my favorite beginner jelly roll sewing ideas!
Dresden Plate Table Runner
Sherri McConnell has a video tutorial in two parts for this quilt block. Grab your jelly roll and make a gorgeous runner or place mats!
QAYG – The Double Shortcut!
QAYG (quilt-as-you-go) is a perfect partner for jelly rolls. You can sew a strip directly to the batting/backing sandwich, flip it, and repeat. It’s the ultimate “double shortcut”—pre-cut fabric and pre-quilted sections! Play with color and texture like never before, and don’t be afraid to play with ‘landscape’ ideas. Here’s my free jelly roll sewing pattern and video.
Wristlet Key Fobs
You can sew a cute wrist strap key fob with my fast and easy sewing tutorial. Of all the DIY projects I’ve sewn and gifted to people, wristlet keychain fobs are the ones that people ask for again and again! The free sewing pattern calls for 2″ strips, but you can easily use 2.5″ strips without any problem. This will be one of your favorite free jelly roll sewing patterns ever.
Cross Body Zipper Tote – No Corner Matching!
This cute zipper tote pattern is perfect for beginners! You can achieve a pretty, modern look without having to match any corners. Use extra strips from jelly rolls, or cut your scraps into 2.5″ pieces. You’ll love the results.
Make Your Own – DIY Precut Fabric Strips
Creating your own DIY jelly roll strips is a fantastic way to customize any of the free sewing patterns in this list.
While store-bought rolls are convenient, cutting your own 2.5 inch strips allows you to mix and match textures and colors that you might not find in a pre-packaged bundle. It is also a smart way to save money while clearing out your fabric bins. To make it even easier for you to get started, I have included a handy Stash-to-Strip Conversion Chart at the end of this post to help you calculate exactly how much yardage you need for your project.
Click here to jump down and view the chart!
Journaling Bookmarks
Whew! After all that sewing do you have some jelly roll scraps? Check out these DIY Bookmarks! Sew a bunch for a class gift at school or church, and add personalized touches with machine embroidery if you have it.
3-Hour Jelly Roll Totes
These sweet totes make nice gifting bags. They’re quick and beautiful; two of my favorite things! Get the free sewing pattern from All People Quilt.
- Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine.
Quilt as you Go (QAYG) Tote
This QAYG free tote pattern has some personal touches that I love. I used a panel along with my strips for this bag. I’m sure you’ll come up with a cute fabric combo. I also decided to try adding pom-poms in between each quilted strip. Such a fun experiment – it turned out delightful!
Red Braid Runner – My Favorite Weekend Project
Mix bold colors with some low-tones for a balanced mix of modern and traditional with this free tutorial that includes some beautifully textured hand quilting!
Quilted Floor Pillow
Sew this comfy floor pillow for your reading nook or your fur baby! It’s perfect for sewing with jelly roll scraps from your other precut 2.5 inch strip projects.
Jelly Roll Rug
I adore how many fabric prints come in a jelly roll bundle. I get giddy when I see them perfectly coordinated and ready to be made into something fabulous. This jelly roll rug takes time, but you will love the outcome!
Nesting Trees Table Runner
This pictures shows a beautiful Christmas color runner with star elements in the quilting. But pine trees are glorious all year round right?! Use this free pattern by Center Street Quilts to sew some quick jelly roll home decor.
Tree Skirt Pattern
Learn how to make a quilted Christmas tree skirt to treasure for years with this surprisingly easy-to-sew tree skirt pattern. Homemade tree skirts really are the ultimate DIY Christmas decoration.
Strip Fabric Table Runner
You can use a jelly roll for most strip projects. Just keep in mind that the finished dimensions will be different if the pattern doesn’t call for 2 1/2″ strips. Here’s a pattern for a Halloween print table runner, but as always, simply use the prints that you love for the best project ever!
Stash-to-Strip Conversion Chart
This chart is helpful if you want to know how much fabric for a 40 strip jelly roll. It’s also helpful if you need help cutting your own quilting strips! If you want to use your stash to make your own DIY jelly roll strips, here’s how much fabric you’ll use.
I use my Accuquilt fabric cutter for most of my projects, but I also appreciate how easy it is to use Creative Grids rulers for the task of cutting lots of strips.
| Total Strips Desired | Yardage Needed (42″ wide fabric) |
| 10 Strips | 3/4 yard |
| 20 Strips | 1 1/2 yards |
| 30 Strips | 2 1/4 yards |
| 40 Strips (Full Jelly Roll) | 3 yards |
Pro-Tip: Squaring Up Your Fabric
Before you start cutting your own strips from your fabric stash, I suggest squaring up the edge of your fabric. Fold the yardage so the selvages are aligned and use your long quilting ruler to trim off a small sliver from the raw edge. This gives you a perfectly straight starting point. If you skip this step, your 2.5 inch strips might end up with a slight “V” shape in the middle, which makes it very difficult to get a straight seam later on.
Other Pre-Cut Fabrics You Will Love:
If you love pre-cut jelly rolls, check out all these other fabric sizes!
- Fat Quarters (18” x 20” rectangles)
- Charm Square Packs (5” squares)
- Layer Cakes (10″ squares)
- Mini Charm Packs (2 1/2” squares)
- Honey Buns (1 1/2” strips)
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